Jewellery Care

Caring For Your Jewellery

To maintain your jewellery in good condition and to ensure that you continue to get the best from your jewellery please follow our recommendations below:

Cleaning and Inspection
Most types of jewellery with the exception of items set with emeralds, opals, pearls or turquoise can be cleaned at home by dipping in a mild soap solution and then rinsing well in clean water. You can use a soft toothbrush to gently remove any stubborn debris but be careful not to snag any claw settings.

We recommend that you return your jewellery to Pravins at least once a year for a professional clean and inspection. If any maintenance or repair work is required, we will advise you of the timescale and charges before proceeding.

General Care Guidelines
We recommend that you remove all jewellery before going to the gym, gardening or taking part in any sports or physical activities which could lead to accidental damage or excessive wear and tear. Earrings, necklaces, chains and bracelets should always be removed before sleeping to avoid inadvertent snagging.

Fittings such as clasps, fastenings, earring backs, safety chains and the like may become loose or worn over time and will need regular inspection and possibly adjustment in order to maintain security.

Emerald, Pearl, Opal and Turquoise
These gemstones are delicate and require special care. If your jewellery contains any of these gemstones, look after it by wiping it clean with a soft damp cloth and store it in a soft cloth or bag to avoid being damaged by other jewellery.

Both pearls and turquoise are adversely affected by the chemicals found in hairspray, make-up and perfume and should therefore be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off. Wiping these gemstones over with a soft cloth after each wear will help keep them at their best.

Pearl jewellery should not be exposed to humid conditions such as showers and steam rooms. As pearl necklaces are strung on silk thread it is best to check them regularly for signs of stretching; re-stringing may be required every six to twelve months if worn regularly.

Most emeralds have surface reaching fissures which are visible to the naked eye; to improve their appearance they are usually soaked in clear oil. Wearing emeralds whilst washing up or bathing should be avoided as this may cause the oil to leak out, reducing the lustre and giving the emerald a dull appearance. Emeralds are also brittle gemstones and can chip or break easily if knocked.

Opals contain a degree of water and are prone to drying out and cracking; they should be kept away from hot, dry conditions such as window sills and radiators.

Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a relatively soft and brittle gemstone and is susceptible to chipping or breaking if knocked. To minimise the risk of accidental damage please remove tanzanite jewellery before going to the gym, gardening or taking part in any sports or physical activities.

Amethyst and Kunzite
Amethyst and kunzite are prone to fading if they are exposed to strong light therefore try not to leave them in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

Diamond
Although diamond is the hardest mineral known to man it is not the toughest; a heavy blow or even a knock at the wrong angle can chip a diamond. Diamonds can scratch other diamonds and gemstones therefore diamond jewellery is best stored in individual boxes or cloths.

Platinum and Gold
Platinum and gold are strong and durable metals but they will scratch on contact with a hard or sharp object. Such surface scratches are not unusual and can normally be polished out quite easily, however this type of wear can be minimised by taking care when using metal handrails or door handles, stone worktops and other hard or sharp objects. Checking your jewellery at home periodically should reveal any emerging wear patterns and may help to identify any potential causes of scratches or dents.

Wearing a ring that is too large for your finger may cause it to lose its shape over a period of time; if you are concerned in any way we can check your finger size and adjust your ring if necessary.

White Gold
We only use the best grade of alloy for our white gold jewellery however all white gold is naturally off-white in colour. To whiten it further it is normal practice to electro-plate white gold jewellery with rhodium (a member of the platinum family). Rhodium plating does wear off over a period of time, especially on high-wear items such as rings and bracelets, however re-plating is a simple and inexpensive procedure and will keep your white gold jewellery looking like new.

Gold Jewellery
Most plain gold bangles and earrings are hollow even though they may appear to be solid. Extra care should be taken with hollow jewellery as a blow or knock may result in a dent or loss of shape that is not possible to repair to a satisfactory level.

If you have any queries regarding the care and maintenance of your jewellery please contact our boutique staff or email admin@pravins.co.uk